News: USC becomes a sparring ground in the LA mayoral race

Friday, September 9, 2022

USC becomes a sparring ground in the LA mayoral race

Sep 09, 2022

By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White and Sakura Cannestra

Presented by Clean Air California

THE BUZZ: ALUMNI ANIMOSITY — Los Angeles' two mayoral candidates both hold degrees from University of Southern California, but it seems to be only deepening their rivalry.

Rep. Karen Bass and billionaire developer Rick Caruso are using their respective ties to one of California's oldest and most prestigious universities as cannon fodder while gearing up for the final sprint to the November election. Bass, a longtime LA congresswoman and once-potential-candidate for VP, has a double-digit lead over Caruso, who has spent tens of millions of dollars of his own real estate fortune on a run at the city's top office.

Caruso sought to shrink that gap on Thursday by capitalizing on a Los Angeles Times' story published this week detailing how a full ride scholarship worth $100,000 Bass received in 2011 to attend USC's graduate social work program has pulled her into a federal corruption case. Bass' scholarship has come up in discussions regarding former Los Angeles City Council Member Mark Ridley-Thomas , who last year was accused of conspiring with a USC administrator during his time on the LA County Board of Supervisors. According to federal allegations, Marilyn Louise Flynn, then dean of the School of Social Work, directed a scholarship worth $100,000 to Ridley-Thomas' son in exchange for him steering county dollars to USC.

Federal authorities told the Times that Bass isn't under criminal investigation, but that her scholarship and dealings with the university play a key role in portraying the scale of corruption in the school of social work.

Caruso told reporters at a Thursday press conference that the case would be a distraction if Bass were to win in November. The prosecution of Ridley-Thomas on bribery and fraud charges links Bass to "systemic corruption" in Los Angeles, the developer told the press.

This isn't the first time Caruso supporters have brought up her 2011 scholarship as a point of political pummeling. As POLITICO's Alexander Nieves reported yesterday, a Political Action Committee backed by the L.A. Police Protective League ran ads and created a website highlighting the scholarship.

It didn't take long for Bass to respond on Thursday, taking questions about the scholarship during a press conference originally planned to focus on homelessness. She scoffed at the suggestion she had any financial incentive to attend the program, and said the scholarship had nothing to do with a 2014 bill she authored that would have allowed private universities to receive federal reimbursements for social work programs, which ultimately failed.

The focus should, instead, be on Caruso's time on the USC board of trustees, Bass said. She said the developer should be scrutinized for the fact that he was on the board in 2018 when a university doctor was accused of abusing patients. (We should note — some have praised Caruso for stepping up as chair of the board and steering the school through that crisis.)

Bass is now targeting Caruso, claiming he was part of the school's efforts to conceal the full extent of the scandal. She released a new campaign ad this week centered on the issue.

"Caruso failed to keep them safe. How's he going to protect us?" the ad says.

BUENOS DÍAS, good Friday morning. As the extreme heat event draws to a close, let's turn our attention to another climate change-induced emergency. Crews are battling several wildfires at the moment that have prompted evacuations. In the northern part of the state, the Mosquito Fire in Placer County had burned more than 13,000 acres as of last night. In Southern California, the Fairview Fire has jumped to nearly 20,000 acres, claiming the lives of two people and injuring another.

Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up: jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "As we reflect on her incomparable life and legacy, our hearts are with the King and the Queen Consort and the entire Royal Family during this time of great loss." — Gov. Gavin Newsom on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II

TWEET OF THE DAY

WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

A message from Clean Air California:

California has the worst air quality in the country, with serious consequences for our health. As climate change increases the number of catastrophic wildfires, the threat is even worse, polluting our air with cancer-causing substances and particulate pollution that aggravate existing health problems and increase the risk of asthma, heart attacks and strokes. Prop 30 attacks the top sources of air pollution — wildfires and vehicle emissions, ensuring Californians have clean air to breathe.

TOP TALKERS

— "Rep. Katie Porter's university housing deal draws scrutiny," by The Associated Press' Brian Slodysko: "For Porter, this version of subsidized housing has outlasted her time in the classroom, now extending nearly four years after she first took unpaid leave from her $258,000-a-year teaching job to serve in the U.S. House."

LIVING HIGH — "The reality of legal weed in California: Huge illegal grows, violence, worker exploitation and deaths ," by The Los Angeles Times' Paige St. John: "Rogue cultivation centers like Mount Shasta Vista now engulf rural communities scattered across the state, as far afield as the Mojave Desert, the steep mountains on the North Coast, and the high desert and timberlands of the Sierra Nevada."

CAMPAIGN MODE

— "Gavin Newsom's 2024 chances could be threatened by California's energy grid struggles," by Fox News' Thomas Catenacci: "During his tenure, Newsom has pushed the so-called green transition through tight regulations and has codified ambitious goals including statewide carbon neutrality by 2045."

A WOMEN RULE CONVERSATION ON LEADING FROM THE GROUND UP: Join POLITICO's Women Rule on Sept. 15 for conversations focused on creating and leading sustainable, healthy and inclusive communities. The program will feature a Member Exchange panel followed by a keynote discussion exploring the most pressing issues facing women in their communities and women in leadership roles who are best positioned to solve these problems. REGISTER HERE.

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

UPHILL ROAD — "Can California's electric-car mandate survive future heat waves?" opines the Washington Post's Megan McArdle: "Sure, climate change is creating a lot of problems, and so, frankly, is California's troubled electricity infrastructure. But public-spirited citizens, with the aid of a little technological innovation, rose to the challenge!"

— "Northern California heat wave may go down as worst in history ," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Kurtis Alexander: "The Earth's warming has not only raised baseline temperatures but can help lock in extreme weather patterns, like the heat dome currently hanging over the state, and also create a feedback mechanism in which the heat propels drying, which propels more heat."

— " Gavin Newsom's Dirty Energy Secret," opines the Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board: "Triple-digit temperatures aren't unprecedented even in early September, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's claims. What has drastically changed in recent years is California's electric generation."

INVERTING INTROSPECTIONS — " Unanswered cries: Why California faces a shortage of mental health workers," by CalMatters' Jocelyn Wiener: "Under relentless pressure from the pandemic and inflation, wildfires and gun violence, racism and war, Californians are crying out for help. But that doesn't mean they can get it."

— " Newsom administration can close Northern California prison, judge rules in dismissing lawsuit," by the Sacramento Bee's Wes Venteicher: "Newsom has been trying to close California Correctional Center, with about 1,600 inmates and 1,000 jobs, since 2021. It would be the second institution to close during his administration, following Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy in 2021."

— " State may permanently shrink internet and cell phone discounts for low-income Californians," by CalMatters' Lil Kalish: "The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to vote on a new rule that would limit how much communication companies could make from the state's Lifeline program, which provides discounts to low-income households for home phone and cell phone services."

— "Former CSU baseball coach sexually and racially harassed players and staff, investigation found," by EdSource's Thomas Peele, Ashley A. Smith and Daniel J. Willis: "The investigation is just the latest in a string of sexual harassment and abuse cases involving California State University staff and administrators. This case, which remained out of public view until EdSource filed a Public Records Act request, details the finding of sexual and racial harassment and violations of the federal anti-discrimination law known as Title IX."

HOW TO CARE — " California lawmakers approved CARE Court. What comes next?" by CalMatters' Manuela Tobias and Jocelyn Wiener: "Now that Gov. Gavin Newsom's court system for people with severe mental illness cleared the state Legislature, counties face a series of practical questions critical to turning the fuzzy concept into a reality."

A message from Clean Air California:

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

— Queen Elizabeth II dead at 96, by POLITICO's Esther Webber: "She is immediately succeeded by her eldest son Charles, who now becomes King Charles III. He and other members of the royal family had rushed to Balmoral, the queen's Scottish estate where she traditionally spends the late summer, earlier in the day, as the severity of her condition became clear."

LOCKED AND LOADED — " Federal appeals court sends California gun litigants back to trial court, history books," by The Los Angeles Times' Kevin Rector: "Returning the case to a lower court for reconsideration — known as a remand — 'will allow the parties to present a full historical record under the standard announced in Bruen,' the state argued in a court filing in July."

— " Pete Buttigieg says S.F. Muni's delayed Central Subway project will be worth the wait," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Ricardo Cano: " It will link several communities to the region's greater rail transit network. And, she hopes, it will one day extend to Fisherman's Wharf — where tunnels lay ready for more rail tracks."

SILICON VALLEYLAND

INNOVATION IRRESPONSIBILITY — "Facebook Parent Meta Platforms Cuts Responsible Innovation Team," by the Wall Street Journal's Jeff Horwitz: "Meta spokesman Eric Porterfield said the company remains committed to the team's goals, and that most of its former members would continue similar work elsewhere at Meta, though they aren't guaranteed new jobs."

BIDEN'S CALL — "The White House is praising the privacy push Pelosi is holding up ," by Protocol's Ben Brody: "The move on privacy builds on Biden's call earlier in the year for legislation and protections for teens online."

— "Cloudflare explains why Kiwi Farms was its most dangerous customer ever ," by Ars Technica's Ashley Belanger: "Cloudflare held out for weeks as the pressure campaign raged on social media. But then, within a 48-hour period, Cloudflare noted that Kiwi Farms users were growing increasingly aggressive and had started doxxing and swatting victims."

HOLLYWOODLAND

GUILDED AGE — "Most Hollywood assistants still make less than $50,000 a year, report finds," by The Los Angeles Times' Stacy Perman: "Among the key takeaways: 91.05% of the respondents reported making less than $50,000 in 2021, up from 79.1% in 2020 who reported income in that same range."

INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.

MEDIA MATTERS

— "'A tipping point in protecting our democracy': California will pump $25M into local journalism initiative," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Sophia Bollag.

MIXTAPE

— "California's College Savings Program Offers Money For All Kids, And Some 2022 Graduates Can Get It Now," by LAist's Mariana Dale.

BREAKING THE BOX — "'This cannot continue': MAGA influencers are creating hell for California elections offices," by SFGate's Eric Ting.

— " Korean grocery chain H Mart is coming to the East Bay," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Mario Cortez.

WEARY WEATHER — "Hurricane Kay adds to 'most unusual and extreme weather week' for California ," by Yahoo News' David Knowles.

— "Photos: Queen Elizabeth's 1983 Trip to California," by NBC's Maggie More.

BIRTHDAYS

Greg Maxson … Augusta (Mellon) Rhoades is 35 … former Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.)

A message from Clean Air California:

California is on the front lines of climate change, witnessing blistering heat waves, prolonged droughts and catastrophic wildfires. Three of the worst wildfire years on record in California occurred in the last four years. Climate scientists project the problem will get considerably worse.

Wildfires don't just present a threat to homes, lives and our economy — they ruin air quality throughout the state for months at a time. This poses a serious hazard to the health of more than 38 million Californians, especially children, pregnant women and seniors.

That's why environmental groups, state firefighters, public health groups, consumer advocates and climate experts are supporting Prop 30 — the Clean Air Act. Prop 30 reduces the top two sources of climate and air pollution, vehicle emissions and wildfires, so Californians have clean, healthy air to breathe. Learn more at www.Yeson30.org.

CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here.

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